MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 11:02:42| >> :600:100021:100021:

Preview: Norwich vs. West Bromwich Albion

Sports Mole previews the Premier League clash between Norwich and West Brom as the Baggies look to pick up crucial points against a side unbeaten in seven home games.

Things went from bad to worse at relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion this week as news of a changing room bust-up become public knowledge.

James Morrison is said to have punched teammate Saido Berahino in the immediate aftermath of Albion's dramatic 3-3 Premier League draw with Cardiff City.

Berahino's conceding of possession in stoppage time allowed the Bluebirds to race up the other end and score a 93rd-minute equaliser, much to Morrison's displeasure.

England Under-21 international Berahino was believed to be considering suing the former Middlesbrough midfielder before the Baggies persuaded him that was not a necessary course of action.

In a show of unity, manager Pepe Mel could name both men on the field at Carrow Road on Saturday afternoon as West Brom get back to fighting against the drop, rather than fighting each other.

The West Midlands side are only three points above safety and are being left in the thick of a survival battle while other teams around them, such as Norwich City, have moved clear of the bottom three.

It is a run of seven home games without defeat which has seen the Canaries climb six points away from the relegation zone, although Chris Hughton's men will not feel completely safe just yet.

A win against Albion on Saturday would go far to securing Norwich's Premier League status and therefore Hughton should continue with two forwards in the form of Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Johan Elmander.

Jonas Gutierrez could be recalled to the home starting lineup after making his return from six weeks out off the bench in the 3-0 defeat to Swansea, while Bradley Johnson is also pushing for a start.

Leroy Fer and long-term absentee Elliott Bennett remain sidelined and although Michael Turner and Joseph Yobo are both close to full fitness, Ryan Bennett may be retained in the centre of defence.

Mel, who has only won one game since being appointed Albion boss in December, is likely to choose between Berahino and Thievy for the lone striker role if Victor Anichebe's hamstring injury keeps him out.

The former Everton striker faces a late fitness test ahead of the trip to East Anglia, but Chris Brunt, Claudio Yacob and Billy Jones are all at least one week away from making a first-term comeback.

Jonas Olsson is available again after completing a two-match suspension for picking up 10 yellow cards.

Recent form

Norwich: LWLDLW

West Brom: DLWLDD

Possible starting lineups

Norwich: Ruddy; Martin, Bennett, Bassong, Olsson; Gutierrez, Tettey, Johnson, Snodgrass; Van Wolfswinkel, Elmander

West Brom: Foster; Reid, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Amalfitano, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Morrison; Sessegnon; Berahino

Sports Mole says: 1-0


ID:147895: cacheID:147895:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6304:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Swansea's new head coach Garry Monk greets fans ahead of the match against Cardiff during their Premier League match on February 8, 2014
Read Next:
Preview: Swansea vs. Norwich
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland139222391429
2Leeds UnitedLeeds137512281426
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd138321661025
4Burnley136521761123
5Watford137152221122
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom13562148621
7Millwall135441612419
8Blackburn RoversBlackburn135441614219
9Bristol City134721717019
10Norwich CityNorwich134632318518
11Middlesbrough135351415-118
12Swansea CitySwansea13445109116
13Coventry CityCoventry134361717015
14Derby CountyDerby134361617-115
15Hull City133641517-215
16Stoke CityStoke134361518-315
17Cardiff CityCardiff134361319-615
18Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds134361524-915
19Oxford UnitedOxford Utd133551617-114
20Preston North EndPreston133551420-614
21Luton TownLuton133371521-612
22Plymouth ArgylePlymouth133371325-1212
23Queens Park RangersQPR131751119-810
24Portsmouth131661326-139


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!